Senator Patrick Leahy: LGBT Immigration Rights Won’t Kill the Bill
May 9, 2013 by Maureen McCarty, HRC Senior Digital Strategist
Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy told Politico that it is time to pass comprehensive immigration reform in America.
According to the Vermont Democrat, including protections for thousands of bi-national same-sex couples as part of reform would not halt the legislation, as some Senators have claimed.
“You can’t go into a state like mine or — it will be now 11 or 12 states and the District of Columbia — where same-sex marriage is legal, and say to this couple, ‘OK, we can help you with the immigration matter.’ Turn to another couple equally legally married and say, ‘Oh, we have to discriminate against you," he said in the interview.
The Senate Judiciary Committee will begin to mark up the 844-page legislation today.
HRC proudly supports comprehensive and inclusive immigration reform. Learn more about the core principles HRC believes must be included in immigration legislation.
Watch Leahy's interview with Politico below.
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